Rotary plug valve



y 1952 w. T. DOWNING ET AL 23,527

ROTARY PLUG VALVE Original Filed June 11, 1946 INVENTORS ATTORNEY G NW WMd P m mm WS ao'rsar PLUG vsnvs Willis r. enis Alexandria, vs... a some:P. Johnson, Washington, D, 0.

Original No. 2,464,123, dated March 8, 1949; 8e-

rill No. 876,048, June 11, 1948. Applicationfor reissue September21,1949, Serial No. 116.881 (01. 251-91) (Granted under the act of March3. 18 83, as amended April 30, 1928: 370 0. G. 75'!) 13Clalms.

lllstteresielllsedinl eavybrackets I This invention relates to a rotaryplug valve which is axially movable; and in particular to a rotary plugvalve which does not rotate with respect to the valve seat when inseated position. Axially movable rotary plug valves are known in the artin which the plug is adapted to be lifted from its seating contactbefore rotation to open position. These valves are generally providedwith two operating hand wheels which separately function to lift theplug and to rotate it. Or they may be of other design. involving acompllcated system of levers. guides and spring-actuated stops whichmake the valve defective in operation. In most cases present art valvesof this type operate in the open position with the rotary plug inunseated position. This is a defect which permits the fluid beingcontrolled to pass around the plug and in some cases to be in contactwith the packing in the valve stem packing gland. Such construction hasa deleterious effect on the valve seat and also the packing and valvestem.

With these defects in view it is, therefore, an object of this inventionto provide an improved valve of the rotary axially movable plug typewhich is adapted to be lifted from contact with its seat before eitheropening or closing the valve.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a valve of the rotaryaxially movable plug type which cannot be rotated when the plug is incontact with its valve seat.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a valveof therotary, axially movable plug type which is'adapted to be operated by asingle hand wheel.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a valve of therotary. axially movable plug type. which by reason of the fact that theplug is seated when in either open or closed position. is adapted forservice in salt water. gasolineorhighpressuresteamlines.and

' It is a still further object of this invention to provide a valve ofthe rotary. axially movable plug type which is of simple. sturdyconstruction and capable of economical manufacture.

In order that a clear conception may be had of the construction by whichthese objectives are attained. reference is now made to the drawingswhich are illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the invention and inwhich Hours 1 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on the medianplane through the valve assembly showing the relationship of the valveparts to each other, and

appears in the original patent but forms no rehsae specification: matterprinted in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

M01 this Figure 2 is a partial sectionalview taken on line 2-2 of Figure1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. It shows therelationship of the rotation limiting and indexing cam to the spring.actuated pawl.

In the drawings ll represents a valve body which is provided withpassageway l2 extending therethrough for the conduction of fluid. BodyIt is provided with a frusto-conically shaped cavity it which ispositioned centrally of the body on the median axis at right angles tothe center line of passage II. Cavity i4 is provided with valve seats IIand II. The bottom of valve body It is provided with a countersunk pinit which" is centered on the above median axis and projects into cavityH. The interior face of the bottom of body It is provided withtransverse ribs 22 which are positioned at right angles to each otherand with one rib parallel with passageway i2. Valve body It is providedwith conventional flanges 24 and 26 which are adapted to be connected to.pipe lines in the usual manner. Body III is also provided with flange28 which is adapted to support yoke Ill. Rotary plug I2"is frustoconicalin' shape. It is adapted to fit within cavity H and is provided withseats 32 and it to contact valve seats II and II respectively. Plug 82is provided with a transverse passageway which matches with passagewayII when in open seated position. Plug If is provided with transverseguide slots ll and-an opening 1| in its bottom which are adapted tointeriit with transverse guide ribs 22 and pin 10 respectively. Valvestem 40 [20'] extends from the larger end or plug 32 through packinggland 42 which is adapted to engage boss 44 in the base of yoke ll. StemIt is of uniform diameter to shoulder 48 where its diameter is reducedand is provided with right hand threads as at 48 which are adapted tomatch threads II in bushing II. The shoulder 46 has an upper jam surface53, and the bushing 52 has an annular lower 1am surface 53'. The end ofstem ll is provided with a slot 4i which is positioned in parallel withpassageway 38. This slot thus readily indicates the position ofpassageway it.

Bushing i2 is journaled in the arms of yoke 30 as at 54 and is free torotate with respect thereto. Bushing I2 extends through the hub ofhandwheel II and is firmly attached thereto by means of locknut 58 whichthreadedly engages the extension of bushing l2 and clamps the hub ofhandwheel it between a shoulder on the bushing and itself. The largeportion. of stem ll. below the upper 1am surface 53,- is provided with 1the cam is engaged by pawl passageway a tour tooth indexing cam 80 whichis adapted to engage spring biased pawl 82 which is mounted in an arm ofyoke 30. These teeth are indexed with the letter O or S to indicate theopen or "shut position of the valve. When a tooth of 82 rotation of thestem and valve plug in a counterclockwise direction is prevented.

In operation the valve is manipulated as tollows: Assuming the valve tobe closed and in seated position, hand-wheel 58 is rotated in aclockwise direction. Plug 32 and stem'flil are prevented from rotationby transverse ribs 22 in the bottom of valve body It with which the plugis engaged. Bushing 52 rotates with handwheel 56 and since its threadswhich engage stem ID are right-handed, clockwise rotation of thehand-wheel lifts or jacks the valve plug trom its seat, the valve plugmoving axially of the stem, that is, in a general direction parallelingthe axis of the stem 40 and bushing 52. At the time at which the valveplug clears ribs 22, the jam surface 53 ofshoulder 48 on valve stem 40jams on the under surface 53' of bushing 52 and valve plug 32 andhand-wheel 58 then rotate as a unit. Hand-wheel 58 is then rotatedthrough an angle of 90 or until pawl 82 drops over the edge of the toothmarked on cam 60. At this point 35 is in alignment with passageway l2.

hand-wheel 5B in a counterclockwise direction until ribs 22 engage slots38 and the seats on the plug and valve body are in contact with eachother/ To close the valve the above operations are repeated. First theplug is jacked" from its seat by a clockwise rotation of the hand-.

wheel. The valve is then rotated in a clockwise direction until pawl 82drops over the tooth on cam 60 marked 8" and the hand wheel is thenrotated in counter-clockwise direction until the plug is seated. T

It is apparent that these inventors have provided a rotary plug valvewhich never rotates when in seated position, a fact which prevents rapiderosion of the valve seats. Also by reason of the fact that the rotaryplug is seated when in open and closed positions the valve can be usedin high pressure steam service, on salt water lines, on gasoline lines,i. e. on high duty service.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention is that shown by thedrawings, it is not desired to be strictly limited thereto asmodifications in the various parts and their relative locations can bemade without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention asdefined by the herewith appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manutactured and used by or torthe Government of the United States oi! America for governmentalpurposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

We claim:

1. A valve of the rotary, axially movable plug type comprising a valvebody having a passageway extending therethrough a rotary plug adapted tobe seated and unseated in the valve body when moved axially, a valveseat extending transversely of the body, said valve seat being ofgreater length than the plug to allow axial movement of the plus] andhaving a plug-receiving cavity intersecting said passageway, a

rotary plug adapted to be seated and unseated in the cavity in the valvebody when moved axially, said cavity being of greater length than theplay to allow axial movement of the plug, the wall 0! Valve plug 32 isthen seated by rotating said cavity fanning a valve seat, said plug inits seated position being in contact with the seat.

5 said plug having a transverse passageway adapted to align with thepassageway through said body, a frame mounted on said valve body,actuating means including a bushing rotatably mounted in said frame, avalve stem extending from said-plug and having a threaded connectionwith said bushing so that rotation of said bushing relative to said stemefiects axial movement of said stem to seat and unseat said plug, meanscarried by said stem and engageable with said bushing for coupling saidstem. and bushing tor rotation'together when said plug is unseated sothat rotation of said bushing efiects rotation of said-plug, and meanscarried by said frame for opposing rotary movement oi said stem in adirection opposite to the direction of rotation of said bushing torotate the plug whereby when said bushing is rotated in the saidopposite direction the plug is moved axially to reseated position, andmeans for preventing rotation of the plug when the latter-is in seatedposition and substantially until said bushing engageable means carriedby the stem is in en agement with the bushing.

[2. A valve as called. for in claim 1' having means for preventingrotation of the plug when the latter is in seated position andsubstantially until said bushing engageable means carried by the stem isin engagement with the bushing] 3. A valve of the rotary, axiallymovable plug type comprising a valve body having a passageway extendingtherethrough and having a plugreceiving cavity intersecting saidpassageway, a rotary plug'adapted to be seated and unseated in thecavity in the valve body when moved axially, said cavity being, ofgreater length than the plug to allow axial movement of the plug, thewall of said cavity forming a valve seat, said plug in its seatedposition being in contact with the seat, said plug having a transversepassageway adapted to align with the passageway through said body, aframe mounted on said valve body, actuating means including a bush- .ingrotatably mounted in said frame, a valve from said plug and having a istem extending threaded connection with said bushing so that rotation ofsaid bushing relative to said stem efiects axial movement of said stemto seat and unseat said plug,v means carried by said stem and engageablewith said bushing for coupling said stem and bushing for rotationtogether when said plug is unseated so that rotation of said bushingefl'ects rotation of said plug, an index-. ing cam rigidly fixed to saidstem, and a biased pawl carried by said frame and cooperating with saidcam to oppose rotary movement of said stem only in a direction oppositeto the direction of rotation of said bushing to rotate the plug wherebywhen said bushing is rotated in the said opposite direction the plug ismoved axially to reseated position, said pawl and said cambeing ofthicknesses in a direction axially of said stem to maintain them incooperative relation as said stem moves into and from said couplingengagement with said bushing. 1 7-) 4. A valve of the rotary, axiallymovableplug type comprising a valve body having a passageway extendingtherethroagh and having a plugreceiving cavity intersecting saidpassageway, a rotary plug adapted to be seated and unseated in thecavity in the valve body when moved axially, said cavity being ofgreater length than the plug to allow axial movement of the plug, the

wall of said cavity forming a valve seat, said plug in its seatedpositionbeing in contact with the seat, said plug having a transversepassageway adapted to align with the passageway through said body, aframe mounted on said valve body, actuating means including a bushingprovided with a dam surface, said actuating means being rotatablymounted in said frame, said bushing, having a threaded boretherethrough, a valve stem eztendingjrom said plug and having a threadedconnection with the bore through said bushing so that rotation of said 6v and cam being of sufilcient thicknesses to maintain them cooperativeduring axial movement of said stem. v

6. A valve as defined in claim 4 but further characterized by said guidemeans comprising a rib member and a rib-receiving guide member in thebottom of said cavity.

7, A valve as defined in claim 4 but further characterized by said stempassing through said bore of said bushing and through an opening in saidframe to provide a plug-position-indioating end, and an indicating markat said end for bushing relative to said stem evects axial movement 0/said stem to seat and unseat said plug, dam means carried by said stemand engageable with said 1am surface for coupling said stem and bushingfor rotation together in apredetermined direction when said plug isunseated so that rotation of said bushing in said predetermineddirection eflects rotation of said plug, guide means operative when saidbushing is rotated for preventing rotation of said plug when said plugis in seated positionand substantially until said jam means is inengagement with said jam surface, saidguide means being inoperative forpreventing rotation of, said plug after said engagement, cooperativemeans comprising an indexing cam member and, a biased pawl memberpermitting rotation of said stem in said predetermined direction butpreventing rotation of said stem in a direction opposite to saidpredetermined direction when said stem is in any one of a plurality ofpredetermined angular positions thereof, a first of said members beingrigidly fixed to said stem and the second of said members being in afixed position on said glrame, said members being of thicknesses axiallyof said stem to maintain them in cooperative relation as said stem movesaxially in a direction to seat said plug and until said guide meansbecomes operative.

5. A valve of the rotary, axially movable plug type comprising a valvebody having a passageway extending therethrough and having a taperedplug-receiving cavity intersecting said passageway, a tapered rotaryplug adapted to be seated and unseated in the cavity in the valve bodywhen moved axially, said cavity being of greater length than the plug'toallow axial movement of the plug, the wall of said cavity forming avalve seat, said plug in its seated position being in contact with theseat, said plug having a transverse passageway adapted to align with thepassageway through said body, a frame mounted on said valve body,actuating means including a bushing rotatably mounted in said frame, avalve stem extending from said plug and having a threaded connectionwith said bushing so that rotation of said bushing relative to said stemeyects axial movement of said stem to seat and unseat said plug, meanscarried by said stem and engageable with said bushing for coupling saidstem and bushing for rotation together when said plug is unseated sothat rotation of said bushing eflects rotation of said 'plua, pawl andcam means below the last said means, comprising an indexing cam rigidlyfixed to said stem, and an adiustable spring biased pawl insertedthrough an aperture in said frame and cooperating with said cam tooppose rotary movement of said stem only in a direction opposite to thedirection of rotation of said bushing indicating each positions.

8. A valve 0! the rotary,-as:ially movable plug type comprising casingmeans comprising a valve body having a passageway extending therethroughand having a plug-receiving cavity inof said predetermined angulartersecting said passageway, a closure member to rotate the plug wherebywhen said bushing I is rotated in the said opposite direction the plugis moved axially to reseated position, said pawl comprising a rotaryplug adapted to be seated and unseated in the valve body when movedaxially, said cavity being of greater length than the plug to allowaxial-movement o! the plug.

the wall of said cavity forming a valve seat, said plug in its seatedposition being in contact with the seat, said plug having a transversepassageway adapted to align with the passageway through said body, saidcasing means comprising a frame mounted on said valve body and having anopening, actuating means including a bushing 1 rotatablymounted in saidframe-opening for rotation only, said bushing having a threaded boretherethrough, said closure member comprising a valve stem having athreaded connection with the bore through said bushing,

confining means holding said closure member against rotation withrespect to said casing means so that rotation of said bushing relativeto said stem in a selected direction initially efjects translatory axialmovement of said stem said'plug, said confining means comprising a ribportion and a rib-guiding guide portion, a first of said portions beingon saidcasing means and the second portion on said closure member, saidportions being slidably cooperative axially of said stem {or a limitedlength of 'said axial movement of said stem and plug and then becomingoperatively disengaged thereatter, said closure member and saidactuating means having jam surfaces that engage after said stem and plughave moved at least said limited length for coupling said stern.v andbushing 'jor rotation together so as to eflect rotation. of said plug insaid selected direction, and cooperative means carried by said frame andsaid stem for opposing rotary movement of said stem only'in a directionopposite to said selected direction when said bushing is rotated in saidopposite direction, whereby when said bushing is rotated in saidopposite direction the plug is-moved axially tocomprising a stem and arotary plug adapted to be seated and unseated in the valve body whenmoved axially, said cavity being of greater length than the plug toallow asial movement of the plug, the wall of said cavity forming avalve seat.

means between said actuating means and (ii-"s1 said plug in itsseatedpositionbeing in contact with the seat, said plug having atransverse pasto align with the passageway and valve body, said casingmeans comprising a frame mounted on said valve body and having anopening. actuating means rotatably mounted in said frame-opening forrotation only. said actuating means having a threaded bore, said stemhaving athreaded connection with said bore, means holding said closuremember against rotationwith respect to said casing means sothat'rotation of-said actuating means relative to said stem in aselected direction initially effects-axial movement of said stem andsaid plug from seated positiomthelast said means being effective for alimited axial length of movement of said stem. said closure member andsaid actuating means having jam surfaces that engage whensaid stem andplug have moved at least said limited axial length so as to effectrotation of said plug in'said selected direction, and cooperative meanscarried by said frame and said stem for opposing rotary movement of saidstem in a direction opposite to said selected direction when saidactuating means is rotated in said opposite direction, whereby plug ismoved axially towards reseated position, said cooperative meanscomprising an indexing cam member and a pawl member, a first of the lastsaid members being rigidly secured to said stem below said a'amsurfaces, and the other member being secured in a predetermined positionto said frame.

10. A valve as defined in claim 9 but further characterized by meansproviding for adiustably positioning the last said members relative toeach other.

11. A valve of the rotary, axially movable plug type comprising casingmeans comprising a valve body having a passageway extending therethroughand having a plug-receiving cavity int ersecting said passageway, aclosure member com- 7 prising a stem and a rotary plug adapted to beseated and unseated in the valve body when moved axially, said cavitybeing of greater length than the plug to allow axial movement of theplug, the wall of said cavity forming a valve seat, said plug in itsseated position being in contact with the seat, said plug having atransverse passageway adapted to align with the passageway through saidbody, a gland seal for said stem and valve body, rotatable actuatingmeans associated with said casing means. and intercminectinc member,said actuating means and interconnecting means being co-operable whensaid actuating means is rotated first to axially move said plug and stemfrom seated position, then to rotate said plug and stem, and then toaxially move said plug and stem back to seated position, saidinterconnecting means comprising cooperative members carried by saidcasing means and said stem spaced from said gland seal, said cooperativemembers comprising an indexing cam member and a pawl member, a first ofthe last said members being rigidly secured to said stem above saidgland seal, and the other member being secured in a predeterminedposition with respect to said casing means.

12. A valve as defined in claim 11 but further characterized by saidpawl and cam members being of thicknesses in a direction axially of saidstem so as to maintain them in cooperative relation whenever saidactuating means and inter-' connecting means are co-operable in a mannerto rotate said plug and stem.

13. A valve of the rotary axially movable plu type comprising casingmeans comprising a valve body having a passagew y extending therethroughand having a plug-receiving cavity intersecting said passageway,

comprising a stem and a rotary plug adapted to be seated and unseated inthe valve body when moved axially. awall of said cavity comprising avalve seat, said cavity being of greater length than said plug to allowaxial movement of said plug, said plug in seated position being incontact with said valve seat,

verse passageway adapted to align with the passageway through said valvebody, means comprising a rotatable a said casing frame on said valvebody,

ctuating means carried by said frame,

said actuating means comprising means having a threaded bore,

'said stem having a threaded connection with said bore, said actuatingmeans having a jam surface, a'am means carried by said closure memberspaced when said plug is seated,

rotation of said closure member with respect tofrom said iam surfacemeans for preventing said valve body during rotation of 'said actuatingmeans in a selected direction and causing said stem to move axiallyuntil said a'am surface and jam means engage, means can r whereupon saidactuating otate said closure member thereafter,

and cooperative means carried by said frame and said closure member foropposing rotary movement of said.closure member in a direction oppositeto said selected direction when said actuating means is rotated in saidopposite direction, whereby said plug can be moved axially towardreseated position. said cooperating means comprising an indexing cammember and a pawl member, a first of the last said members bein fixedlysecured to said closure member and the other of said members beingsecured in a predetermined position to said frame.

14. A valve as defined in claim 13 wherein said plug and said cavity arealso tapered.

WILLIS T. DOWNING. .SIDNEY P. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number a closure member said plug having atrans-

